This is a recollection of mine and appears in the book “Bragafull.” Authored by Dr. Maryanne Pearce and edited by Erik Lacharity, Chantal Layoun as well as Austin Lawrence.
As per the Author and editors A ‘bragafull’ is the ‘best-cup’ or ‘Bragi’s-cup.’ It emblematic of the nine years the folx have put into organizing the Hail and Horn Gathering. This book is a devotion, a remembrance; each story herein is a drop from Bragi’s lips, from the mind’s eye of the folx that gather to honour the Heathen gods at Raven’s Knoll. Our experiences, our joys and sorrows, have been spoken into a communal horn. With each year that has past, a new layer is added to the Well of Wyrð; each layer, new inspiration for the skald. We each are the legendary heroes of this saga called the Hail and Horn Gathering, as are those to come –whether next year or in eleventy years– our folx will live, joined by the narratives of their own times.
This book is available on Amazon if you wish to order it.
At some point I hope to receive my contributors copy but have not as of yet. Herein is my story in the corrected format with correct spelling on authors name.
The Vé
Previous to Hail and Horn Austin had a desire to create a sacred space at Ravens Knoll. During the first years the land had been walked many times in search of the perfect spot but no location seemed to offer itself up for his vision. During the year the Cauldron and the Firepit space was created Brendan had been pouring through the updated imagery on google maps, this imagery showed the location of the newly formed swimming hole. It also revealed a sequestered opening that was not visible on the previous image set.
It was still early spring, it was also the time before Dorothy and Wally. The obvious route to the clearing Brendan found was through the archery field. Which as any Knollian will tell you is far to wet for any vehicle to traverse. Austin and Brendan donned rubbers and took a walk through the mushy peat and about 75 feet through as of yet unmade trail to discover the clearing that is now the Vé. There was the remnants of possibly an old logging road they followed in. And there it was a large enough flattish space for the soon to be sacred space and enough room as well for people to congregate. Auz now had the space he wanted and he began planning it out. But for now we had to wait for drier weather and ground to begin work.
Over the next bit Auz made a few journeys up to the future site, taking measurements, planning things out. All the while the Idea of the Vé was becoming more concrete in his mind. The excitement of bringing his vision to fullfillment becoming more apparent.
Later that summer after things had dried up a bit the old logging road was cleared of debris allowing easier access. It was left almost as it was with the need to remove only a few trees to make it traversable by the old Massey Ferguson referred to as Dutchess. The opening was cleared of debris, but left in as near natural state as possible. More measuring occured… the location of the Vé poles determined, the location of the entrance to the scared space also determined. It was discovered that a Deer trail entered the clearing at the opposite corner to the original entrance to the Vé area. That trail is now what is referred to as the Shrine Trail.
About late June to mid July the ground and surrounding area were ready to begin the work of actually laying out the site. The poles were taken up to the archery field and left at the old entrance to be later carried up by hand. I hooked up the post hole digger to Dutches and went up to dig the post holes that had their location previously marked. And I believe it was later that week Auz and I carried the poles in. The day the poles went in could not have been more perfect, not to hot not too cold. Austin dressed in something heathen like although I cannot remember specificly. I myself probably just wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
The day the poles were put in seemed so surreal. I guess it was because I was still somewhat new to this whole creating a sacred space thing. I still did not fully cognicise the significance of this particular day in relation to myself, or to other people then or in the future. I wish at that time I had written down my thoughts and feelings instead of doing so years later when my recollections are not as sharp. famous last words ‘who knew!’ I cannot at this time recall in what order the poles were placed, or for that matter what world each of the nine poles represent. But I know that each of the poles represent Niflheim, Muspelheim, Asgard, Midgard, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, Helheim.
I know that prior to placing the poles in each hole an offering was given, I know some of that offering was Tobacco, as well I seem to recall mead. Each pole was placed in its hole by hand, each pole sanctified by words. I remember Auz chanting “Thunor Wéoh” as we placed the poles. This roughly translates to ‘hallow this’ or ‘make Holy.’ It felt at the time this process took the entire afternoon, in reality it may have only been two hours. But that time locked me to that place like an anchor, it will for ever be a part of me, and I it. It was my Introduction to Heathenry and a journey starter.
Since that day more things have been added to this sacred space, the bond ropes that act not just as a barrier to create the space, they hold that within sacred, and are a tether that connects the nine worlds. The alter space made from stone, the God Poles of which at least one is added per year. The Vé itself is open to all who visit Ravens Knoll, But please respect this space, follow the simple rules set out for it. These rules may be found at the entrance to the Vé proper.
By Kevin McLaughlin AKA Lugh Sulian
Biography of Kevin McLaughlin AKA Lugh Sulian
I am nothing more than a sum of your memories, the good the bad, the ugly. It matters not who I believe I am, was, or shall be. It matters not what I have done, what I am doing, or what I shall be. You write my history, you write my eulogy.
What i can say about my self is I am a Human Being, not a human doing, not a human done or will do. If perchance you get to know me I am humbled. If perchance you choose not to get to know me I am made sad.
I hope you have enjoyed what I have written, it may not be accurate but neither is memory, nor is written word as it has been tainted by the impure recollections of a human. Live long and Thanks for all the Fish.
Unplugged Pagan 